Thread: 16" vs 22" barrel noise level

Hi everyone,

I am planning to buy a smaller and lighter gun to hunt considering how difficult maneuvering through the bush is. A few disadvantages the shorter gun will have are:

*It will lose some velocity/energy
*The recoil will be greater
*It will be louder

I am not too worried about the first two issues. Can anyone advise how much louder are we talking about? From the research I have done, there seems to be a 5dB of noise increase from 24" to 18.5".

.30-06 in 24" barrel 158.5dB
.30-06 in 18 1/2" barrel 163.2dB

I have no idea what the number means, has anyone experienced the two different-sized guns and would you kindly please explain how big of a noise increase it is and if there are any other disadvantages that I am not aware of?

Much appreciate your input and help.

Alex

Sorry for the re-post, I just realised I might have posted this in the wrong category (Firearms, Optics and Accessories)